Federal official lauds Norwich harbor

As city leaders continue their plans for a $5.4 million rehabilitation of Norwich’s waterfront district, project architects are enthused with the support they’ve gotten from a top-ranking federal tourism official.

As city leaders continue their plans for a $5.4 million rehabilitation of Norwich’s waterfront district, project architects are enthused with the support they’ve gotten from a top-ranking federal tourism official.

“Without a doubt, the opportunity for expansion for the city is definitely there in terms of recreation,” Gail Adams, director of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs, said in an interview with The Bulletin on Monday. “You all do have a really good treasure that could be developed into something awesome.”

Adams, who first visited Norwich in June during the city’s Freedom Bell festivities, said the city’s harbor enhancement plans mesh with many parts of the National Tourism Strategy — an initiative launched in May that seeks to draw 100 million more international visitors to sites across the county by 2021.

Analysts say that wave of new tourists will generate $250 billion per year nationwide in spending, helping to create new service jobs and spin-off businesses.

“People are going to go to the New Yorks and Orlandos, but what do we have to encourage travelers within the United States to go to those really interesting and culturally rich places throughout the country that may be lesser known,” Adams said.

In Norwich, officials said, the answer lies in its unique location at the headwaters of three rivers, which makes the city a prime spot for year-round sport fishing.

In September 2011, the Harbor Management Commission released an updated vision plan for the city’s harbor that called for the redevelopment of under-used properties and a heavy focus on economic development by exploiting water-based tourism opportunities.

That’s turned into a three-pronged approach to create a new, regional boat launch along the Thames River, build a new wharf area downtown and transition Howard T. Brown Memorial Park into a first-class gathering spot.

Adams led an October teleconference with city officials to talk about grants and other available funding that may move the investment forward. The sides are planning to speak again in early 2013.

Officials said Peter Davis, director of the city’s planning department, and Gary Evans, its community development supervisor, will be added to the team because of their experience in grant writing and land use.

“We absolutely have to continue the dialogue. The strategic location of Norwich between Boston and New York and our proximity to the two casinos is a huge asset, and how the city promotes that is key,” Mayor Peter Nystrom said.

The City Council in November authorized spending $22,000 for environmental testing in the Shipping Street area, where officials hope to relocate the boat launch.

Alderman Charlie Jaskiewicz, who also sits on the Harbor Management Commission, said winning Adams’ endorsement is significant.

“We’re trying to set ourselves up to lead the region in tourism not only in fishing, but in biking and canoeing. We’re trying to be a conduit to get all the pieces people want interconnected,” he said.

Page 2 of 2 - Adams said the city’s plan is sensible.

“There is a tremendous appetite for what they’re attempting to do, and recreation provides a wonderful economic development engine for communities,” she said. “I definitely want to follow up to see what other information they were able to glean.”